16:55 Chester

Friday 12 May 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

tote Fantasy, Whos In Your Stable Chester Plate Handicap

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 4m 19.4s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(14)

Novel Legend²¹^{(ex 3)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 85| C

11/8

Improved in handicaps in second half of last term, opening his account over 14.4f here (good to soft) in September. Has kicked on again this season, scoring on return at Kempton before recording a 6-length success at Newbury (16.5f, heavy). Obvious claims under a 3 lb penalty (due to go up 7 lb).

Form: 2412-11

(6)

It's Good To Laugh^p,t1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 85| C| D

17/2

Multiple Flat/hurdles winner who ran poorly back from a break over hurdles in March. Probably found conditions too testing returned to this sphere at Ripon (2m, heavy) recently and he is 2-4 here but others make more appeal all the same. Sports a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 90543-5

(4)

Military Two Step³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: B A Curtis| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| C

28/1

Successful over 2m here in 2021 and hit the target twice last year, latterly at Chelmsford in November. Some fair efforts on the AW since the turn of the year but put in her place back on turf at Pontefract last time and she looks up against it.

Form: 81-4365

(13)

Zinc White⁵⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84

33/1

Progressive for Ralph Beckett during truncated 2021 campaign, winning pair of 1¾m handicaps. Presumably wasn't 100% when pulled up on hurdles bow at Ffos Las (sole start for Oliver Greenall) in October of that year and subsequent absence an obvious concern ahead of this debut for new connections.

Form: 56611/

(8)

Juan Bermudez^p1,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

22/1

Raised his game when narrowly prevailing from the front upped to 2m at Kempton in November. Below par both subsequent starts, though, including on return (first run since being gelded) at Leicester (11.8f, heavy) last month. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 1/4319-4

(9)

Land Of Winter^b1¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Rae Guest| OR: 84| BF

18/1

Successful twice during light 2021 campaign. Winless last season but stepped up on reappearance effort this time round when fourth at Ripon (2m, heavy) recently and wasn't beaten far when fourth over C&D off 2 lb higher in September. Each-way chance if the first-time blinkers have a positive effect.

Form: 6406-64

(17)

Christopher Wood²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 82

16/1

Last seen out in this sphere almost 3 years ago but plenty of solid form to his name over hurdles/fences during the intervening years. Resumes in this sphere on an attractive mark for yard (also represented by Bellatrixsa) that has won the last 2 runnings of this handicap. Couldn't rule out.

Form: 321810/

(12)

Whitehaven^p1,t1⁶³

66/1

Signed off light 2022 campaign by finishing second in a 2m Haydock handicap (final start for Hughie Morrison). Fair start for this yard when third in a Catterick novice hurdle in January but well held both starts since (also over hurdles) and opposable back in this sphere. Has undergone a wind op.

Form: 30/8352-

(10)

Bellatrixsa²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: F Norton| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 81| CD

7/1

Justified strong market support when landing this race 12 months ago (latest Flat start). However, 4 lb higher this time round (in a more competitive renewal) and she hasn't fired in a handful of runs over fences since the turn of the year.

Form: 23218/1-

(3)

Oman^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: Ian Williams| OR: 79| C

50/1

On a good mark based on his form for Ralph Beckett a couple of seasons back but struggled in 3 starts over hurdles for Alan King during the winter. Lifeless efforts in as many appearances for new yard back on the Flat in recent months and it's best to look elsewhere.

Form: 87-5007

(16)

Mostly Sunny²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: H Main| OR: 80

33/1

Firmly back on track with blinkers enlisted on final 2 starts of last term, good second in 13.3f Newbury handicap (heavy) prior to going one better in decisive fashion upped to 16.2f at Newcastle in November. Well adrift of Novel Legend back at Newbury on return 3 weeks ago and he's opposable.

Form: 07021-7

(15)

The Predictor^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79

14/1

Confirmed previous promise (and did well under the circumstances) when opening his account at Thirsk (2m, good) in August. Positive start to this season when going close on return at Ripon (2m, heavy) and likely to be in the mix off the same mark here if coping with this stiffer test.

Form: 32812-2

(7)

Whimsy²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

28/1

Did little wrong last season, successful twice at Salisbury and posted several creditable efforts in defeat, too. Below par both starts this time round, though, and her stamina has to be taken on trust given that she's unproved beyond 1½m.

Form: 1223-48

(5)

Justus^v1¹⁴^{(ex 3)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72

9/2

French maiden winner who acquitted himself well in handicaps at York and Ascot (both at around 2m) in September. Left low-key reappearance behind when scoring in good style at Doncaster a fortnight ago and solid claims under a 3 lb penalty (due to go up 5 lb). Visor applied.

Form: 0437-61

Non-Runners

(1)

Anna Bunina¹³

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: J C McConnell J: Non Runner

(2)

Hydroplane⁴⁴

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

(11)

Malakahna⁵⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Novel Legend (11/8), Justus (9/2), Bellatrixsa (7/1), It's Good To Laugh (17/2), Malakahna (12/1), The Predictor (14/1), Hydroplane (14/1), Anna Bunina (14/1), Christopher Wood (16/1), Land Of Winter (18/1), Juan Bermudez (22/1), Military Two Step (28/1), Whimsy (28/1), Zinc White (33/1), Mostly Sunny (33/1), Oman (50/1), Whitehaven (66/1)

The progressive NOVEL LEGEND is a step ahead of the assessor under a 3 lb penalty and, with this new trip unlikely to pose a problem, he will take plenty of stopping in his bid to complete the hat-trick. The fact that he was a winner here on his sole previous visit in September also augurs well. Justus is also 'well-in' under a penalty following his wide-margin Doncaster success and he is next on the list ahead of The Predictor.